DENVER, Jan. 4, 2011
/PRNewswire/ -- Vista Gold Corp. ("Vista" or the "Company")
(TSX & NYSE Amex Equities: VGZ) is pleased to announce the positive results
of a new Preliminary Feasibility Study ("PFS") for the Batman deposit
at the Company's wholly-owned Mt. Todd gold project in Northern Territory,
Australia. The new PFS was managed by Tetra Tech Inc. ("Tetra
Tech") of Golden, Colorado, and expands upon the PFS previously completed
by Tetra Tech and announced on August 18, 2010. The PFS evaluates the viability
of a 30,000 tonne per day processing facility and the
optimized extraction of the identified mineral resource. Highlights of the PFS include:
- Increased
estimated reserves up 103% from previous PFS
- Estimated 4.1 million ounces of gold
- Improved production and life
- Average
annual production 240,000 ounces of gold per year
- 14 year
life
- Improved
economics at long-term and current gold prices
- 13.9%
pre-tax internal rate of return at $1000 gold price
- 23.2%
pre-tax internal rate of return at $1350 gold price
- $385
million pre-tax NPV (5%discount) at $1000 gold price
- $945
million pre-tax NPV (5%discount) at $1350 gold price
The PFS study is expected
to be filed on SEDAR (at www.sedar.com) within 45 days. All dollar
amounts in this press release are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
The PFS was evaluated using
a gold (Au) price of $1000 per ounce, which is less than the three-year
trailing average of $1023 per ounce. Mineral reserve estimates and production highlights are tabulated below.
Production
Highlights
|
|
Reserves and Production Estimates at $1000/ounce Au
|
|
Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves (at a 0.40 g
Au/tonne cut-off)(1)
|
149.9
million tonnes at 0.85 g Au/tonne
|
|
Contained
Gold
|
4,112,000 ounces
|
|
Life of Mine
Production
|
3,372,000 ounces
|
|
Average
Annual Production
|
239,500
ounces gold per year
|
|
Mining
Rate
|
29.5
million tonnes per year
|
|
Mill Throughput Rate
|
30,000
tonnes per day
|
|
Stripping Ratio (waste:ore)
|
1.8
|
|
Mine Life
|
14.08
years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fred
Earnest, President and COO of Vista, stated, "We believe that this is an
important and positive step forward in our development of the Mt. Todd gold
project.
Four months ago we demonstrated the technical and economic viability of
this project with a preliminary feasibility study that was constrained by the
project's existing tailings storage capacity of 60 million tonnes.
By utilizing the remaining capacity in the project's existing tailings
storage facility and deferring the capital for additional tailings storage
capacity until later in the project's life, we have been able to increase the
size of the proposed process facility to a more economic level of 30,000 tonnes per day and increase the projected annual production
to 250,000 ounces per year over the first five years of the project.
Based on these positive results, we have now commenced a feasibility
study for the Mt. Todd gold project that we expect to complete in the latter
part of the 2011. As part of the feasibility study program, we will undertake
studies to further optimize the proposed operation, evaluate opportunities to
reduce estimated capital costs and enhance project returns. Advancing Mt.
Todd will be our priority in 2011 and we have committed the resources to
accomplish this. In the coming months we expect to hire key project
personnel and establish a visible presence in the Northern Territory,
appropriate to the stage of development."
The PFS was completed using
a foreign exchange rate of $0.85 = A$1.00 and incorporates mid-2010 costs.
The following table summarizes the economic results at a gold price of
$1000 per ounce with a comparison to economic results at a gold price of $1350
per ounce and a foreign exchange rate of $1.00 = A$1.00.
Summary
of Economic Results
|
|
|
$1000/oz
Au & $0.85/A$1.00
|
$1350/oz
Au & $1.00/A$1.00
|
|
Average Cash Operating Cost ($ per oz Au produced)
|
$520
|
$587
|
|
Average Total Cash Production Costs ($ per oz Au
produced)
|
$530
|
$600
|
|
Pre-Production
Capital Cost:
|
$589,583,000
|
$675,957,000
|
|
Sustaining
Capital Cost:
|
$260,522,000
|
$261,183,000
|
|
Internal
Rate of Return
|
13.9%
before tax
10.7%
after tax
|
23.2%
before tax
16.6%
after tax
|
|
Cumulative Cash Flow (pre-tax)
|
$964,514,000
|
$1,860,112,000
|
|
Net Present Value at 5% discount (pre-tax)
|
$385,336,000
|
$944,470,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Richings,
Executive Chairman and CEO of Vista added the following comments, "In 2006
we invested approximately $2.0 million in the acquisition of Mt. Todd. Today,
the estimated cash flow generated by the potential development of the project,
net of all costs and investments is approximately $1.9 billion at current gold
prices. As we advance the project through bankable feasibility and
commence environmental permitting in this mining-friendly area, we expect this
increase in project value to be better reflected in the Company's
valuation."
Mr. John Rozelle, PG, Manager of Tetra Tech's Mineral Resource
Division and Principal Geologist, on behalf of Tetra Tech and Thomas Dyer, P.E.
on behalf of Mine Development Associates, both independent Qualified Persons as
defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"),
prepared or supervised the preparation information that forms the basis for the
scientific and technical information disclosed herein and have reviewed this
press release and have consented to its release.
General
The Mt. Todd gold project
mine site is located 230 km southeast of the port of Darwin and 56 km by road
north-northeast of the regional center of Katherine. Katherine and Darwin are
connected by a railroad and the Stuart Highway. An existing paved road connects
the mine site to the Stuart Highway. Vista acquired the project in February
2006 for approximately $2.0 million, reaching agreements with Ferrier Hodgson,
the Deed Administrators for Pegasus Gold Australia Pty Ltd., the government of
the Northern Territory of Australia and the Jawoyn
Association Aboriginal Corporation. Since acquiring the project, Vista has
undertaken various studies and programs, including an initial Preliminary
Economic Assessment ("PEA") issued on December 29, 2006, an updated
PEA issued on June 11, 2009, a PFS issued on October 1, 2010, extensive
sampling and diamond drilling (over 26,000 meters), an extensive metallurgical
test program which included crushing and grinding, flotation and leach test
work, mine design, as well as various preliminary engineering studies and cost
estimates.
Mineral Resources and
Reserves Estimates
The PFS is based on Vista's
updated gold mineral resource estimate for the Batman deposit as of June 11,
2009, which assumed a cutoff grade of 0.40 grams of gold per tonne. The resource estimate is detailed in the report
"Mt. Todd Gold Project - Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment Report -
Northern Territory, Australia" dated June 11, 2009 and is available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The resources are tabulated below.
|
|
Resource
Classification
|
Metric
Tonnes
(x1000)
|
Average
Grade
(grams/tonne)
|
Short
Tons
(x1000)
|
Average
Grade
(ounces/ton)
|
Contained
Gold
Ounces
(x1000)
|
|
Measured
(2)
|
52,919
|
0..91
|
58,333
|
0.026
|
1,543
|
|
Indicated
(2)
|
138,020
|
0.81
|
152,139
|
0.024
|
3,581
|
|
Measured
&
Indicated
(2)
|
190,939
|
0.84
|
210,472
|
0.024
|
5,125
|
|
Inferred
(3)
|
94,008
|
0.74
|
103,625
|
0.022
|
2,244
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The estimated measured and
indicated mineral resources included in the table above includes 149,875
million tonnes of proven and probable reserves shown
in the table of estimated proven and probable reserves below.
Mine Development Associates
used the June 2009 resource model to develop an open pit mine design, including
intermediate pits plans and production schedules.
The mineral reserve
estimates prepared and reported by Mine Development Associates, under the
supervision of Mr. Dyer, and using the June 2009 resource model at a gold price
of $1000 per ounce of gold and cut-off grade of 0.40 grams of gold per tonne are summarized in the following table.
Batman
Deposit, Mt. Todd Proven
& Probable Reserve Estimate
|
|
Reserve
Classification
|
Metric
Tonnes
(x1000)
|
Average
Grade
(grams/tonne)
|
Short
Tons
(x1000)
|
Average
Grade
(ounces/ton)
|
Contained
Gold
Ounces
(x1000)
|
|
Proven
(1)
|
48,961
|
0.91
|
53,970
|
0.026
|
1,431
|
|
Probable (1)
|
100,914
|
0.83
|
111,237
|
0.024
|
2,681
|
|
Proven
& Probable (1)
|
149,875
|
0.85
|
165,207
|
0.025
|
4,112
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital and Operating Cost Estimate
Estimated life-of-mine
average cash production costs are projected to be $520 per ounce and includes
the cost of concurrent reclamation. The latter half of the project life
benefits from decreases in the required stripping. Pre-production capital
costs including contingency, owner's costs and working capital are estimated to
be $545 million and sustaining capital over the life of the mine is estimated
to be $245 million, including $147.3 million for additional tailings storage
capacity to be spent starting in year five.
Mining
Vista plans to extract ore
from the mine using conventional open pit mining equipment and techniques.
A waste mining fleet consisting of 180-tonne trucks and 21 m3 shovels has
been selected to complement the 140-tonne truck and loader ore mining fleet.
The Company would be the owner and operator of the mining fleets and
expects to enter into maintenance and repair contracts for the major mining
equipment. Ore will be mined in four pit development phases over a period of 14
years. Waste rock will either be placed in a single waste dump or used
for tailings embankment construction. Concurrent reclamation is planned
for the lower benches of the dump.
Processing
The PFS incorporates the
results of Vista's analysis of previous operators' experience and extensive
metallurgical testing undertaken by Vista in the last three years. The
proposed larger processing facility utilizes the same process flowsheet developed for the PFS announced on August 30,
2010 and specifically addresses the following key issues:
- Ore
hardness � Vista tested and determined the expected ore hardness
and then evaluated various combinations of equipment. The best
combination of equipment involved primary and secondary crushing, tertiary
crushing employing high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) followed by a
large ball mill. The use of HPGR is expected to result in a product which
significantly improves the efficiency of the grinding circuit. The circuit
is very simple with a large primary gyratory crusher, a secondary cone
crusher, a single HPGR unit and a single ball mill. HPGR technology
is currently being successfully used by Newmont Mining Corporation, at
Australia's largest gold mine, the 20 million ounce Boddington
mine in Western Australia.
- Metallurgy
� As copper mineralization within the orebody
negatively affected metallurgical recoveries in the past, Vista focused
first on understanding the form and distribution of the copper minerals in
the ore body and then on the best metallurgical approach to deal with the
copper. In the mineralogical review it became apparent that the form of
the copper minerals changes with depth. In the upper part of the orebody, which was mostly mined out by previous
operators, the copper existed predominantly in cyanide soluble secondary
copper minerals such as chalcocite, bornite and covellite. In
the remaining orebody, copper exists mainly as
primary copper minerals like chalcopyrite which are generally not cyanide
soluble. The tests Vista undertook on representative samples of the ore to
be mined showed that leaching combined with a carbon-in-pulp recovery
circuit yields recoveries of 82% with acceptable levels of cyanide
consumption.
The proposed plant will have
a design capacity of 30,000 tonnes per day and has
been designed to be simple, efficient and easy to maintain. The proposed flowsheet indicates that following grinding the slurried ore will be sized by cyclones, thickened,
pre-aerated, and then leached in tanks prior to recovery in a hybrid
carbon-in-pulp circuit. Gold will be stripped from the carbon and
precipitated in an electrowinning cell prior to
refining into dore bars. The tailings would be
detoxified using the SO2/Air process and deposited in the existing tailings
impoundment facility for the first several years of operation, and then in a
newly constructed tailing storage facility for the remaining life of
production.
Further contributing to
lower costs, the proposed project will self-generate power using low cost
natural gas which can be supplied to the site via the existing natural gas
pipeline. The project also includes plans to produce lime from
near-by limestone deposits, thereby significantly reducing the supply cost
for this reagent.
Infrastructure
As previously reported, the
Mt. Todd gold project site has existing infrastructure which includes: a fresh
water storage reservoir with sufficient capacity to sustain the proposed
operation, paved access roads, a natural gas pipeline and an electrical power
line. Power will be generated on site using a gas-turbine generator which
is included in the project capital. The power plant is designed to have excess
capacity to meet higher loads during large equipment starting up. Excess power
during operations will be sold into the grid further reducing expected costs.
During the post-closure period, Vista intends to continue operating the
natural gas turbine power generating plant. Revenues derived from selling
power to the grid during this period are expected to fund all of the
reclamation activities.
Environmental
The PFS includes
engineering designs for the closure of the mine site following cessation of
production. Where practical, concurrent reclamation activities would be
undertaken to reduce the time and expense involved in the closure of the site.
The closure plan was designed to meet all requirements for long-term
reclamation of the site and cost estimates include provisions for monitoring
required under applicable law.
Economic Analysis
The economic analysis was
completed using a gold price of $1000 per ounce and the three-year trailing
average foreign exchange rate of $0.85 = $A1.00. Vista has also completed
sensitivity analyses calculated at gold prices of $1200, $1350 and $1500 per ounce.
The $1200, $1350 and $1500 sensitivity analyses incorporate the current
foreign exchange rate of $1.00 = A$1.00. Estimated before and after tax
economic results, showing the internal rate of return (IRR) and net present
value at a 5% discount rate (NPV5%), cumulative cash flow and sensitivity to
changes in gold price are shown in the following tables.
Before�Tax Economic Results
|
|
Gold
Price Scenario
|
Before
Tax
IRR
(%)
|
Before
Tax
NPV5%
($ 000s)
|
Before Tax
Cumulative Cash Flow
($ 000s)
|
|
$1000 Gold Price
|
13.9
%
|
$ 385,336
|
$ 964,514
|
|
$1200 Gold Price
|
17.1
%
|
$ 610,603
|
$
1,359,383
|
|
$1350 Gold Price
|
23.2
%
|
$ 944,470
|
$
1,860,112
|
|
$1500 Gold Price
|
29..1
%
|
$
1,278,336
|
$
2,360,841
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After-Tax Economic Results
|
|
Gold
Price Scenario
|
After
Tax
IRR
(%)
|
After
Tax
NPV5%
($ 000s)
|
After Tax
Cumulative Cash Flow
($ 000s)
|
|
$1000 Gold Price
|
10.7
%
|
$
184,312
|
$ 584,562
|
|
$1200 Gold Price
|
12.4
%
|
$
284,528
|
$ 777,849
|
|
$1350 Gold Price
|
16.6
%
|
$
475,309
|
$
1,059,338
|
|
$1500 Gold Price
|
20.6
%
|
$
664,986
|
$
1,339,945
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration Potential
Vista controls a large land
package (160,878 hectares) of Exploration Licenses ("EL") surrounding
the Mt. Todd gold project. Based on reviews of historic activities and
field work carried out during the 2009 field season numerous targets for
potential new discoveries have been identified. In the fall of 2010,
prior to the start of the wet season, Vista undertook a very limited
exploration program on one of four previously announced exploration targets.
The Company completed four diamond core holes on the Golden Eye target
(previously called the MSTS-4 target). All four holes encountered strong
sulfide mineralization associated with banded iron formation with interesting
concentrations of copper, lead and zinc. Hole GE10-003 encountered one interval
of 1.1 meters averaging 7.69 grams per tonne gold ("g/t Au"),
including 0.3 meters of 26.7 g/t Au. The core was logged, photographed,
and sampled by employees of Vista Gold Australia under the direction of Vista's
Vice President of Exploration, Mr. Frank K. Fenne P.G., who is a Qualified
Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Core was assayed by Northern
Australia Laboratories Pty Ltd of Pine Creek, Northern Territory. Core
logging and sample custody, preparation and assaying were completed in compliance
with NI 43-101 standards. Vista intends to resume drilling activities on the EL
as soon as the wet season ends and access can be reestablished.
About Vista Gold Corp.
Vista is focused on the
development of the Concordia gold project in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and
the Mt. Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia, to achieve its goal
of becoming a gold producer. Vista's other holdings include the Guadalupe de
los Reyes gold project in Mexico, the Yellow Pine gold project in Idaho, the
Awak Mas gold project in Indonesia, and the Long Valley gold project in
California. For more information about our projects, including technical
studies and resource estimates, please visit our website at www.vistagold.com.
(1) Cautionary Note to U.S.
Investors concerning estimates of Reserves: This press release and the PFS referred to in
this press release use the term "Proven and Probable Reserves" and
"Mineral Reserves". We advise U.S. investors that while these terms
are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National
Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101") � Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
("CIM") � CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended, such definitions differ from
the definitions in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a
"final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to
report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve
or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental
analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of
mineral deposits in this category will ever be converted into SEC Industry
Guide 7 reserves.
(2) Cautionary Note to U.S..
Investors concerning estimates of Measured and Indicated Resources: This press release and the PEA referred
to in this press release use the terms "Measured Resources",
"Indicated Resources" and "Measured & Indicated
Resources." We advise U.S. investors that while these terms are Canadian
mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 � Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects and the CIM � CIM Definition Standards on Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended, these
terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and are normally not
permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.
The SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not
constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves" as in-place
tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The term
"contained gold ounces" used in this press release is not permitted
under the rules of the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume
that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be
converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 reserves.
(3) Cautionary Note to U.S.
Investors concerning estimates of Inferred Resources: This press release and the PEA
referred to in this press release use the term "Inferred Resources".
We advise U.S. investors that while this term is a Canadian mining term as
defined in accordance with NI 43-101 � Standards of Disclosure for
mineral Projects and the CIM � CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources
and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended, this
term is not a defined term under SEC Industry Guide 7 and is normally not
permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.
"Inferred Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their
existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It
cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Resource will ever be
upgraded to a higher category. The SEC normally only permits issuers to report
mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves"
as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The
term "contained gold ounces" used in this press release is not
permitted under the rules of the SEC. U.S.. investors are cautioned
not to assume that any part or all of an Inferred Resource exists or is
economically or legally minable.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws.
All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this press release that address activities, events or developments that Vista
expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things
as the production and economic analysis and forecasts, estimates of mineral
reserves and resources, the conversion of mineral resources to mineral
reserves, life of mine estimates, the potential for gold resources in the
Batman deposit and other targets within the Mt. Todd gold project, the
waste-to-ore ratio at the Mt. Todd gold project, the successful completion of a
metallurgical testing program at the Mt. Todd gold project, the completion of a
Mt. Todd pre-feasibility study for the Sensitivity Case, future gold prices,
future U.S.-to-Australian dollar exchange rates, the improved efficiencies of
high pressure grinding roll technology, the effect of copper on leaching at the
Mt. Todd gold project, operating efficiencies at the Mt. Todd gold project,
revenues from the future sale of electricity generated at the Mt. Todd into the
grid and the use of those revenues to cover reclamation costs, the recovery of
lime from lime-stone deposits at the Mt. Todd gold project, the favorable
effects of Mt. Todd gold project economics, the Base Case and Sensitivity Case
production and economic highlights, favorable effects of Mt. Todd project
economics and Vista's ability to add value in a cost-effective manner, the
estimated operating and capital costs and the cash flow analysis and
sensitivity analysis in the Mt. Todd Preliminary Economic Assessment and the
Mt. Todd Preliminary Feasibility Study, and anticipated processing capacity and
tailings management and other such matters are forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information. When used in this press release, the words
"optimistic", "potential", "indicate",
"expect", "intend", "hopes," "believe,"
"may," "will," "if, "anticipate" and similar
expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information. These statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of Vista to be materially different from any future
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements.
Such factors include, among others, uncertainty of reserve and resource
estimates, estimates of results based on such reserve and resource and reserve
estimates; risks relating to completing metallurgical testing and scheduling
for a pre-feasibility study on the Sensitivity Case; risks that a new
pre-feasibility study will not be filed within 45 or at all; risks that mineral
reserve and resource estimate will not be confirmed by a new pre-feasibility
study; risks that a new pre-feasibility study will contain other risk factors
important to investors; risks relating to cost increases for capital and
operating costs including cost of power; risks relating to delays at the Mt.
Todd gold project; risks related to decreased efficiencies from the high
pressure grinding roll technology, risks related to copper affecting the
leaching at the Mt. Todd gold project, risks related to the generation and sale
of electricity produced at the Mt. Todd gold project to cover reclamation
costs, risks related to the ability to economically recover lime from
lime-stone deposits at the Mt. Todd gold project, risks of shortages and
fluctuating costs of equipment or supplies; risks relating to fluctuations in
the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related
activities; potential effects on Vista's operations of environmental
regulations in the countries in which it operates; risks due to legal
proceedings; risks relating to political and economic instability in certain
countries in which it operates; risks related to repayment of debt; risks
related to increased leverage and uncertainty of being able to raise capital on
favorable terms or at all; as well as those factors discussed under the
headings "Uncertainty of Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk
Factors" in Vista's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on March
16, 2010, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed November 9, 2010, and
other documents filed with the U.S.. Securities and Exchange Commission and
Canadian securities commissions. Although Vista has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information,
there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated,
estimated or intended. Except as required by law, Vista assumes no
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking
information; whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Without limiting the
foregoing, this press release uses terms that comply with reporting standards
in Canada and certain estimates are made in accordance with NI 43-101. NI
43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that
establishes standards for all public disclosures an issuer makes of scientific
and technical information concerning mineral projects. All mineral
resource and reserve estimates contained in this press release, including the
terms "measured mineral resources," "indicated mineral
resources", "inferred mineral resources", "proven mineral
reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" have been prepared in
accordance with NI 43-101, and these standards differ significantly from the
requirements of the SEC. The resource and reserve information contained
in this press release is not comparable to similar information disclosed by
U.S. companies. See the Cautionary Notes to U.S. Investors above.